Independent Small Programs Alliance
Clearwater, FL

At the Independent Small Programs Alliance (ISPA) Dinner Meeting in San Francisco on April 30, 2009, Andy Anderson, ISPA president, presented Leslie Goldberg, M.Ed., CEP, of The Goldberg Center for Educational Planning, the ISPA Distinguished Service Award, which is awarded to a business, person or organization providing impactful leadership or global service to ISPA and the industry.

Andy Anderson, stated upon presenting the award at the dinner meeting, "Leslie Goldberg is the only two time recipient of an ISPA Award and that her professionalism, intellect and hard work for families, young people and small programs alike have positively changed the face of our important work."

"It is the Leslie Goldberg's of the world who have opened new pathways to meeting the difficult needs of those we serve. She is an innovator, fearless in facing challenges and finding solutions to complex problems. We at ISPA are honored to be able to work with Leslie and The Goldberg Center for Educational Planning."

In addition to Leslie's award, Andy Anderson also presented Educational Consultant and Independent Educational Consultant Association (IECA) Member Joseph P. (Jody) Dobson M.A., of Philadelphia, PA, the prestigious "ISPA Gem Award", for excellence in professional service to Special Needs Families, who became the only second professional in four years to receive this award.

The criterion for the Gem Award is as follows: "The ISPA Gem Award will be awarded for selfless service, professionalism, leadership and compassion by a Professional." In this instance Jody Dobson stands alone as an individual living that criterion.

Anderson noted, "Jody Dobson is a person of great intellect, sensitivity and compassion. He is a great professional, but an even greater person/human being. He is and has been a friend to ISPA, a friend to me and most importantly a friend to the families we serve."